Which broker is better for Cyprus traders in 2026? Expert analysis across 12 categories.
For Cyprus traders seeking a reliable forex broker, two prominent names are EasyMarkets and IG. While IG holds a higher overall rating (4.2/5 compared to EasyMarkets' 3.4/5), the best choice depends on your trading style and local needs. Both are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), ensuring compliance with EU financial standards and offering protection such as negative balance protection and access to the Investor Compensation Fund. Cyprus-based traders benefit from local payment methods like Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, and even USDT TRC20 at EasyMarkets, making deposits convenient. IG excels with its extensive range of over 17,000 markets, advanced platforms like ProRealTime, and competitive variable spreads. EasyMarkets, on the other hand, offers fixed spreads and guaranteed stop-losses, appealing to risk-averse traders. This comparison dives into costs, platforms, regulation, and local-specific features to help you decide which broker aligns with your goals in the Cypriot trading landscape.
| Instrument | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| EUR/USD avg spread | 0.09 pips + $3.5/lot | 0.0 pips + $3.5/lot | IG |
| XAU/USD (Gold) | $0.14 typical | $0.12 typical | IG |
| GBP/USD avg spread | 0.29 pips | 0.23 pips | IG |
| Standard acc spread | from 1.0 pips | from 0.8 pips | IG |
| ECN commission | $3.5/lot/side | $3.5/lot/side | Tie |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 | IG |
Spread costs directly impact your profitability in Cyprus. IG offers variable spreads starting from 0.6 pips on EUR/USD for active traders, while EasyMarkets provides fixed spreads around 1.2 pips. For high-volume Cyprus traders, IG’s tighter spreads can save significant costs, especially when executing larger lots. EasyMarkets’ fixed spreads are predictable and beneficial during volatile news events, but they are generally higher. Additionally, IG charges a commission on certain account types (e.g., 0.1% on share CFDs), whereas EasyMarkets incorporates costs into the spread. Cyprus traders should consider their average trade size and frequency to determine which fee structure suits them best.
| Account Type | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Standard account | ✓ | ✓ |
| ECN / Raw spread | ✓ | ✓ |
| Islamic (swap-free) | ✓ | ✓ |
| Demo account | ✓ | ✓ |
| PAMM / MAM account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Zero spread account | ✗ | ✗ |
| Copy trading | ✗ | ✗ |
| Min deposit | $25 | $0 |
| Entity / Asset | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Cyprus (offshore) | Up to 1:2000 | Up to 1:30 |
| Forex major pairs | 1:2000 | 1:30 |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | 1:200 | 1:200 |
| Indices | 1:100 | 1:100 |
| Cryptocurrencies | 1:2 to 1:10 | 1:2 to 1:10 |
| Asset Class | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forex pairs | 90+ | 65+ | EasyMarkets |
| Gold (XAU/USD) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Oil (WTI/Brent) | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Stock indices | 25+ indices | 20+ indices | EasyMarkets |
| Crypto CFDs | 30+ | 20+ | EasyMarkets |
| Stocks / Share CFDs | ✗ | 1,700+ | IG |
| ETFs | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Platform | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| MetaTrader 4 (MT4) | ✗ | ✓ |
| MetaTrader 5 (MT5) | ✗ | ✓ |
| cTrader | ✗ | ✗ |
| TradingView | ✗ | ✓ |
| Expert Advisors (EAs) | ✗ | ✓ |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hedging allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Platform offerings cater to different trader preferences in Cyprus. IG provides its proprietary web platform, mobile app, and industry-standard MetaTrader 4, plus advanced tools like ProRealTime and L2 Dealer for active traders. EasyMarkets offers a proprietary web-based platform with one-click trading and its mobile app, plus MT4. For Cyprus traders, IG’s broader platform ecosystem—including automated trading via API—gives more flexibility, while EasyMarkets’ platform is simpler and more intuitive for beginners. Both support mobile trading, but IG’s platforms are more feature-rich for analysis and execution.
| Factor | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Execution model | ECN/STP | True ECN | IG |
| Avg execution speed | ~30ms | ~40ms | EasyMarkets |
| Slippage | Very low | Very low | Tie |
| Requotes | Very rare | Very rare | Tie |
| Scalping allowed | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| EA / Bot trading | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
IG provides ultrafast execution with no requotes on most markets, using a Straight Through Processing (STP) model. Its liquidity aggregation ensures tight spreads and minimal slippage. EasyMarkets uses a market maker model with fixed spreads, resulting in no slippage but potential requotes during high volatility. For Cyprus traders who need speed and reliability, IG’s execution is superior; EasyMarkets suits those who prioritize predictability.
| Safety Factor | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Primary regulator | CySEC | FCA |
| Top-tier regulated | ✓ | ✓ |
| Investor protection | ✓ | ✓ |
| Segregated funds | ✓ | ✓ |
| Neg. balance protection | ✓ | ✓ |
Both EasyMarkets and IG are regulated by the Cyprus Securities and Exchange Commission (CySEC), which governs all investment firms under the European MiFID II directive. This means Cyprus traders receive strong investor protections: negative balance protection, segregation of client funds, and eligibility for the Investor Compensation Fund (ICF) up to €20,000. IG additionally holds top-tier regulation from the FCA in the UK and other global bodies, adding an extra layer of security. EasyMarkets also has regulatory licenses from ASIC and FSCA. For Cyprus-based traders, CySEC oversight ensures local compliance and straightforward dispute resolution through the Cyprus Financial Ombudsman.
| Payment Method | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Bank Wire Transfer | ✓ | ✓ |
| Visa / Mastercard | ✓ | ✓ |
| Skrill | ✓ | ✗ |
| Neteller | ✓ | ✗ |
| USDT / Crypto | ✗ | ✓ |
| Withdrawal time | Cards 1-2 business days; e-wallets instant-1 business day; bank wire 3-10 business days; overall back-office processing within 1 business day (24h) | 1 to 5 business days |
Cyprus traders enjoy multiple convenient funding options at both brokers. EasyMarkets supports Bank Transfer (EUR), Skrill, Neteller, and USDT TRC20 (crypto), with minimum deposits starting at $25. Deposits via digital wallets are credited within 1 hour, while bank transfers take 1-3 business days. IG accepts Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, credit/debit cards, and PayPal, with a minimum deposit of $250 for bank transfers (lower for cards). Withdrawals are processed similarly: EasyMarkets offers free withdrawals via Skrill/Neteller (24-48 hours), while IG charges no fees for bank transfers but may apply currency conversion costs. USDT TRC20 at EasyMarkets is a unique advantage for crypto-savvy Cyprus traders, offering near-instant deposits with low fees. Both brokers process withdrawal requests within 1-2 business days, with actual receipt depending on the method.
| Islamic Account Feature | EasyMarkets | IG |
|---|---|---|
| Swap-free available | ✓ | ✓ |
| Admin fee instead of swap | On some instruments | On some instruments |
| MT4 / MT5 supported | ✓ | ✓ |
| How to apply | Contact support | Contact support |
For Muslim traders in Cyprus requiring swap-free accounts, both EasyMarkets and IG provide Islamic account options. EasyMarkets offers them on all account types with no additional conditions—simply contact support to enable swap-free status on your account. IG applies Islamic accounts only to certain instruments (forex and indices) and requires a minimum deposit of $1,000 or equivalent. Both remove overnight interest (swap) charges but may apply an administration fee after a holding period (e.g., 10-20 days). Cyprus traders should verify the specific terms with each broker to ensure compliance with Sharia principles.
| Support Feature | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Live chat | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Phone support | ✗ | ✓ | Tie |
| Email support | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| 24/7 support | ✗ | ✗ | Tie |
| Response time (chat) | <2 minutes | <3 minutes | EasyMarkets |
Customer support is available in English and Greek for Cyprus traders. IG offers 24/7 live chat, phone support, and email, with a dedicated team for local queries. EasyMarkets provides phone, live chat (during market hours), and email support. IG’s larger support team typically responds faster, while EasyMarkets offers personalized service. Both have extensive FAQ sections on their websites.
| Mobile Feature | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| iOS App Store rating | 4.5 stars | 4.3 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Google Play rating | 4.3 stars | 4.2 stars | EasyMarkets |
| Biometric login | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Push notifications | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Full charting on mobile | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| TradingView mobile | ✗ | ✓ | IG |
| Resource | EasyMarkets | IG | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Video tutorials | 100+ videos | 50+ videos | Tie |
| Webinars (live) | Weekly | Monthly | Tie |
| Economic calendar | ✓ | ✓ | Tie |
| Market analysis | Daily | Basic | EasyMarkets |
Choose EasyMarkets if you...
Choose IG if you...
For Cyprus traders, the choice between EasyMarkets and IG hinges on your experience and trading objectives. IG stands out with its higher rating (4.2/5), tight spreads, vast market access, and robust platform suite, making it ideal for active and advanced traders. EasyMarkets, with its fixed spreads and guaranteed stops, appeals to beginners and risk-averse investors. Both are CySEC-regulated and support local payments like Bank Transfer, Skrill, and Neteller, with EasyMarkets adding USDT TRC20. Consider your typical trade size and need for predictability—IG for cost-efficiency at scale, EasyMarkets for simplicity and fixed costs. Ultimately, IG’s superior features and reputation edge it ahead for most Cyprus retail traders.